A Guide to the First Trimester
Including frequently asked questions for first-time parents and a step-by-step guide to navigating the medical system in the first 12 weeks.
So you think you might be pregnant? What’s next?
I remember feeling so overwhelmed when I did that at-home pregnancy test and saw those two faint lines… at 24, I had no one around me having babies and had no idea where to begin.
So here is a step-by-step guide to navigating the first trimester and some frequently asked questions based on the searched questions of expectant mothers (and fathers!)
I want to take all the guess work out of this season so that you can focus on staying well and healthy and achieving the birth you want!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Top symptoms of pregnancy:
It’s tricky because pregnancy and period symptoms can be very similar. But here are some top symptoms that could point to pregnancy:
Missed period
Nausea
Tiredness
Sore/ tender breasts
Bloating
Increased urination
Can have back pain
Can be extra irritable or have mood swings
When is a good time to test?
I know some pregnancy tests can tell you 5 days prior to missing a period but for the most accurate results, wait until your period is due or even a couple of days after! This has always given me the most accurate results as it gives the HCG hormones a few more days to develop (HCG is the hormone that comes through your urine when testing on the stick)
Diet and Nutrition:
What foods to avoid now that you’re pregnant?
Raw or undercooked meats and eggs
Raw fish
Sushi
Unpasturised dairy products (by law, all dairy must be pasteurized in Australia, it’s only if you go to a farm and drink straight from the teat id be cautious!)
Reduce caffeine (1 small coffee a day is fine)
Reduce sugar and highly processed foods
No level of alcohol consumption is safe for baby
What foods to focus on eating now that you’re pregnant?
Foods rich in vitamins and minerals. A range of fresh fruit and veggies.
Iron rich foods such as red meat, pasture raised chicken and eggs
Whole grains
Exercise
What can and can’t you do now that you’re pregnant?
Of course, it’s best to consult your personal GP as they know you best. But a general rule of thumb is if you were doing it before you were pregnant, you should be able to continue it!
EG. If you were a runner before, continue running but don’t start anything different.
Listen to your body, some exercising won’t feel good, listen to that and trust your body. Things like swimming, pilates, light weight training, gentle jogging, stretching are all great forms of exercise.
It’s important to maintain a healthy level of physical exercise. Exercise has been linked to stronger and healthier pregnancies and higher mental health rates. Keep exercising, you need to be fit and strong to be a mumma!
Can I travel when I'm pregnant?
Again, a great question to discuss with your health care provider. First trimester you are usually a bit too unwell and fatigued to travel so second trimester is the best time to travel if you are wanting to go somewhere. Just be aware of the following factors:
Safety of location - physically and food wise. Avoid risky foods such as street food
Length of plane trip - don’t be going to Europe - you wont enjoy that plane ride trust me. Keep it under 5hrs if possible.
Is it safe to have sex whilst pregnant?
Yes it is! Sex helps with feeling connected to your husband during this time plus the flow of oxytocin is great for labour preparation and general wellbeing.
What happens if you start bleeding?
First thing, try not to stress it’s not guaranteed that you are miscarrying. Actually, up to 1 in 4 women bleed in their first trimester of pregnancy.
Best to book into your GP and get a blood test to see what’s going on.
What to do with nausea and pregnancy cravings?
In the first trimester you are more likely to have food aversions rather than cravings as you may be experiencing nausea. You might only feel like plain toast, dry crackers, and cereal and that’s okay! Try to take your prenatal vitamins and If you can stomach some raw fruits and veggies then try doing that. You can always bulk up on the nutrient rich foods in the second trimester when you’re feeling better.
Cravings will most likely begin in the second trimester. Try to maintain a healthy diet and be mindful not to give into the cravings too often. Meal planning can help with this!
PRACTICAL STEP BY STEP GUIDE
So you’ve pee’d on a stick, what do you do next?
The best next step is to book into your local GP.
You see your GP a few times throughout your pregnancy and for future pregnancies so do a little bit of research if you don’t feel connected to your current GP. Find a GP who you are aligned with, ask them what their approach is to pregnancy, it’s a vulnerable journey so to have someone you like is important!
Your GP will do two things:
Blood test
To check HCG levels
It also screens for various infections like Rubella, Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis, and HIV. Additionally, it may include blood type, RhD factor, and antibody testing.
Iron Levels and Vitamin D, Thyroid and Gestational Diabetes
Dating scan referral - If you are wanting to have a scan at 7-8 weeks you can get your referral for that at this initial appointment.
Once you hear back and the blood test confirms you are pregnant, have a little dance to celebrate, and then start your research!
Topics to research in your first trimester:
What mode of care are you interested in having throughout your pregnancy?
Private Obstetrician Led Care
Public Midwife Led Care
General Pool of Midwives
Midwife Group Practice
MAPS
SWIM
GP Shared Care
Private Midwife - Home Birth
Private Midwife - Hospital Birth
| Mode of Care | Pros | Cons | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Obstetrician-Led Care | Continuity with specialist doctor, access to private hospitals, nicer hospital stays, partner can stay, perceived high level of medical care | Expensive ($3000–$8000+ out-of-pocket), high rates of intervention, short appointments | $3000–$8000+ out-of-pocket |
| Midwife Lead care – Public System General Pool of Midwives |
Accessible and low-cost, supported by hospital system | No continuity of care, impersonal, may see different staff each appointment | Free via public hospital |
| Midwife Lead Care – Public System Midwife Group Practice (MGP) |
High continuity of care, relationship-based model, reduced interventions and better outcomes | Limited spots, high demand, usually only available to low-risk pregnancies | Free via public hospital |
| MAPS (Midwives Antenatal Postnatal Service) | Focused care through the public system, midwifery-led, supportive of natural birth. Continuity for prenatal and postnatal only. | Only in some hospitals, limited to public system, eligibility restrictions. Check local hospital | Free via public hospital |
| SWIM – Student with Women Innovative Care Model | Supportive care model with student midwives under supervision of experienced midwives. Continuity of care through public hospital, personalised care | Region-specific, limited availability, eligibility criteria. Check local hospital | Free via public hospital |
| GP Shared Care | Ongoing relationship with familiar GP, accessible in rural areas, useful for low-risk pregnancies. Great if you love your GP! | Lack of hospital-based continuity, variable pregnancy/birth knowledge | Free or standard GP fees (bulk-billed if eligible) |
| Private Midwife – Home Birth | High continuity and autonomy, home environment, lower intervention rate, natural birth focus | Out-of-pocket costs ($4000–$7000+), not covered by Medicare, not suitable for high-risk | $4000–$7000+, not Medicare-covered |
| Private Midwife – Hospital Birth | Continuity of care, hospital access, more personalised than general midwifery pool | Requires private hospital access and willing OB, out-of-pocket costs may be high | $3000–$6000+, partially Medicare-covered |
Once you have determined which model of care you are wanting to go with, you can take steps in the right direction. This might be making an initial appointment with a few obstetricians, or calling your local public hospital to book your first appointment. Just note, whatever model of care you are going with, you will need a referral from your GP.
Start to think about what kind of birth you are wanting to have:
In the first trimester you can start to think about what kind of birth you would like to have. Although births don’t always go to plan, it’s more about educating yourself on the different options you have available.
Do you want to give birth at home or in hospital?
Do you want to birth on the bed or bath or floor?
What kind of support are you wanting in the room with you? Will you hire a doula to provide that continuity of care?
What kind of pain relief are you wanting to go for? There are lots of options for pharmacological pain relief or natural pain relief.
What’s your stance on being induced?
What’s your stance on having a cesarean sections vs vaginal births?
Do you want to breastfeed or bottle feed?
Asking yourself all these questions can be daunting, so you might be wondering where to find the answers you need. Here is where I would begin:
Find some mums in your sphere of life, old school friends, workplaces, church, family friends and ask them all these questions. Ask them about their birth stories and what they would do differently if they had their time again.
Do some online research - there’s loads of helpful blogs out there
Listen to Australian Birth Stories podcast
Listen to the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast
Hire a Doula who can help you prepare prenatally so you go into your birth feeling prepared and empowered and even excited!
Whats next?
Book an appointment with your GP at 8 or 9 weeks to discuss ultrasound results from dating scan and to get your referral for the hospital / OB.
At your next GP appointment you will:
Go through the ultrasound and the GP will talk through any concerns they have, if any
You will get your estimated Due Date (Note this is just an estimation)
You will get your referral for hospital or Obstetrician
You will go through blood test results and make a plan if you are low in anything - talk through any supplements you might need to start taking.
At this appointment you can also ask for a referral for the 12 week scan - save you going back in a few weeks!
Nuchal Translucent Scan - the 12 week scan
The 12-week scan, often called the nuchal translucency (NT) scan, is a key part of early pregnancy care, typically performed between 11 and 13 weeks of gestation. Its main purpose is to check the baby’s development so far. A key feature of this scan is the measurement of fluid at the back of the baby’s neck (the nuchal translucency), which, combined with a blood test, helps assess the risk of chromosomal conditions such as Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), Edwards syndrome (Trisomy 18), and Patau syndrome (Trisomy 13). While it doesn’t give a definitive diagnosis (just a low risk or high risk score), it can help parents make informed decisions about further testing. The scan also checks for the number of babies, the baby's heartbeat, and early signs of structural differences.
Check List for the end of the first trimester:
